Apparatus and method for providing packaging blanks for containers

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for providing packaging blanks (100) for containers (2). The apparatus (1) comprises at least one removal magazine (5) having at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1) for the packaging blanks (100), wherein the at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1) is designed to receive in each case one stack of packaging blanks (100). Furthermore, a provision device (10) for providing and feeding the packaging blanks (100) to the at least one removal magazine (5) is provided, wherein the provision device has at least one magazine loading unit (12) having at least one loading shaft (12.2), which is designed to receive in each case one stack of packaging blanks (100) provided in an outer packaging (103). The apparatus (1) also comprises at least one transfer device (18) for automatically transferring the stack of packaging blanks (100) from the loading shaft (12.2) of the magazine loading unit (12) into the removal magazine shaft (5.1) of the removal magazine (5, 5'), wherein the transfer device (18) has at least one conveying mechanism (19) for conveying the stack of packaging blanks (100) and a retaining mechanism (20) for retaining the outer packaging (103).

Description

[0001] Device and method for providing packaging material blanks for containers

[0002] The invention relates to a device and a method for providing and / or handling packaging material blanks for containers, in particular for providing and / or handling cardboard blanks forming a carrying handle for containers, especially container sets.

[0003] It is known from the prior art to assemble or combine containers, such as bottles, especially PET bottles, into multipacks. Such container sets are often referred to as multipacks and are particularly well-known in the beverage industry, enjoying great popularity and demand in the market.

[0004] Often, the containers are held together by shrink film. However, it is also known that the containers for creating such packages are joined together, for example, by gluing them with adhesive dots. Such a method for producing a container package by gluing is described, for example, in publication EP 3 245 141 B1.

[0005] Furthermore, solutions are known in which packaging material cutouts, for example so-called cardboard clips, are applied to the containers from above, holding the containers in formation and / or serving as carrying handles.

[0006] For the automated, machine-based application of such packaging material blanks to containers or container sets, appropriate devices or systems are required that can be integrated into or connected to production lines, particularly in the beverage industry. However, such devices or systems known from the prior art are generally complex in their design and relatively expensive to operate, and often do not achieve the desired throughput while simultaneously maintaining the required production and quality assurance.

[0007] 12264 WO In line with the general objective for production lines of the aforementioned type, to achieve a high degree of automation with safe operating processes, there is a particular need to ensure the provision of the packaging material blanks in such a trouble-free and safe manner that the packaging material blanks are also provided safely and reliably during operation with the desired high performance and production speed in order to be ready for use in the application process.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of ensuring a safe and reliable provision or supply of packaging material blanks and, in particular, enabling safe and trouble-free loading of a magazine that stores the packaging material blanks.

[0009] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1, a system according to claim 15, and a method according to claim 16. Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] The present invention provides a device for supplying packaging material blanks for containers. The device has at least one dispensing magazine with at least one dispensing magazine slot for the packaging material blanks, wherein the at least one dispensing magazine slot is configured to receive one stack of packaging material blanks at a time. The device further comprises a supply device for supplying and feeding the packaging material blanks to the at least one dispensing magazine. The supply device includes at least one magazine loading unit with at least one loading slot configured to receive one stack of packaging material blanks provided in an outer packaging.Furthermore, the device includes at least one transfer unit for the automated transfer of the stack of packaging material blanks from the loading chute of the magazine loading unit to the dispensing magazine chute of the dispensing magazine. The transfer unit features

[0011] 12264 WO at least a conveying mechanism for conveying the stack of packaging blanks into the removal magazine shaft and a retention mechanism for retaining the outer packaging in the loading shaft.

[0012] The "packaging material blanks" are preferably made of cardboard. They can be understood in particular as secondary packaging material blanks, preferably designed as blanks forming a carrying handle and / or containing an integrated carrying handle. According to the present invention, the packaging material blanks are applied to the top surface of containers or container groups. The packaging material blanks can also be referred to as cardboard clips.

[0013] Alternatively, in the present understanding, “packaging material blanks” can also include stackable or stacked blanks of other consumable materials used in connection with the packaging of containers, such as labels or the like.

[0014] The outer packaging of the stack of packaging blanks is a suitable form of packaging for the stacked packaging blanks and is, for example, a cardboard box or outer carton, which preferably contains exactly one stack of packaging blanks, in particular cardboard clips, and is preferably sealed on all sides in its storage or delivery state. Such an outer packaging of cardboard clips can also be understood as a refill pack and can be inserted or inserted into the loading chute of the magazine loading unit, for example, by an operator. Preferably, the outer packaging includes a lid section, for example, detachable by perforation, or a top flap or top flap, which can be removed after insertion into the loading chute in order to open the outer carton located in the loading chute from the top.On its underside, the outer packaging has, in particular, a recess, opening, perforation or penetration in a bottom section through which the conveying mechanism can reach to convey the packaging material blanks.

[0015] 12264 WO The device according to the invention offers particular advantages by making the provision of the packaging blanks, namely the loading, filling, refilling, or refilling of the dispensing magazine chute with a stack of packaging blanks, significantly safer and more reliable, with the device according to the invention advantageously avoiding malfunctions in automated operation. The loading of the dispensing magazine chute with a respective stack of packaging blanks is carried out automatically, in particular controlled and / or regulated, and preferably in such a controlled manner that the outer packaging of the stack remains securely fixed in the loading chute of the magazine loading unit. An unwanted or accidental, disruptive removal or refilling is thus prevented.Slipping of the outer packaging out of the loading chute, namely a disruptive, friction-induced movement of the outer packaging along with the packaging material blanks, is effectively prevented and stopped.

[0016] Malfunctions caused by the failure to provide or transfer packaging material blanks into the dispensing magazine slot, or only partially or incorrectly, as well as a resulting machine stoppage or standstill due to the dispensing magazine running empty, can be avoided and / or completely prevented with the present device.

[0017] Through the interplay of the conveying and retaining mechanisms of the transfer unit, namely through the coordinated action of the corresponding components of the transfer unit, the stack of packaging blanks delivered by the magazine loading unit, provided, and still repackaged in this prepared state, is pushed out of the loading chute and simultaneously out of its outer packaging, and into the dispensing magazine chute, naturally without its outer packaging. The outer packaging is securely held and fixed in the loading chute by the retaining mechanism during the transfer of the stack of packaging blanks and remains there. The emptied outer packaging can then be removed and preferably discharged or disposed of.

[0018] 12264 WO During operation of the device, for example, an operator can manually remove the emptied outer packaging from the respective loading chute of one or preferably several magazine loading units and replace it with new, repackaged stacks of packaging blanks.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one magazine loading unit is movably designed and can be positioned in at least one loading position, in particular automatically. In the loading position, the loading chute of the magazine loading unit is arranged relative to the dispensing magazine chute in such a way that the stack of packaging blanks can be transferred from the loading chute to the dispensing magazine chute by means of a linear push motion.

[0020] The linear thrust movement for transferring the stack of packaging blanks can be understood, in particular, as a thrust exerted by the conveying mechanism along a thrust axis, or as a linear stroke or working stroke of the conveying mechanism. In the loading position, the loading chute of the magazine loading unit is stationary and is itself held in a fixed position during the transfer of the stack of packaging blanks, namely in its exact alignment relative to the stationary dispensing magazine chute.

[0021] The magazine loading unit is preferably designed as a means of transport or a transport vehicle or transport cart for stacks of packaging blanks, specifically for stacks of packaging blanks that are packaged in outer packaging, such as a carton. The magazine loading unit primarily serves to transport the stacks of packaging blanks to the dispensing magazine. From the magazine loading unit, the stacks of packaging blanks can be filled into the empty dispensing magazine slot. During the filling process of the dispensing magazine slot, the outer packaging or carton remains in the magazine loading unit and is also transported away using it.

[0022] 12264 WO According to a preferred embodiment, the device has at least two dispensing magazine compartments, each dispensing magazine compartment being designed to receive one stack of packaging material blanks. In these preferred embodiments, two stacks of packaging material blanks can advantageously be provided and held in the dispensing magazine, wherein, for example, one of the dispensing magazine compartments serves as a storage or reserve compartment, while the other dispensing magazine compartment is in an "active" state in which packaging material blanks can be removed for use.In this way, a substantially constant and continuous supply of packaging blanks can be advantageously ensured, and idleness of packaging blanks can be effectively avoided, for example in a system for applying packaging blanks to the containers, thereby minimizing or preventing idle-related interruptions or operational stoppages.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the loading chute is arranged vertically below the dispensing magazine chute to be loaded and is coaxially aligned with it. In this embodiment, the conveying mechanism of the transfer device is formed by a vertical conveying system designed to insert the stack of packaging blanks vertically from below into the dispensing magazine chute.

[0024] It is understood that the dispensing magazine shaft is designed to be sufficiently free, open, or accessible at its base to allow unimpeded insertion of the stack of packaging blanks from below. Advantageously, the dispensing magazine shaft is further equipped with a securing and / or lifting device that engages the stack of packaging blanks from below after they have been completely transferred, thus preventing them from falling out of the dispensing magazine shaft and, for example, ensuring height adjustment during removal.

[0025] 12264 WO The vertical conveying system lifts a complete stack of packaging blanks vertically upwards into the respective dispensing magazine slot and pushes the complete stack of packaging blanks from the corresponding magazine loading unit into the dispensing magazine slot from below. If several dispensing magazines and / or several dispensing magazine slots are provided, which is conceivable according to preferred embodiments, such a conveying mechanism designed as a vertical conveying system can be provided in the area of ​​each dispensing magazine, in particular in the area of ​​each of the dispensing magazine slots.

[0026] Advantageously, the transfer device is arranged below the dispensing magazine shaft of the dispensing magazine and is spaced away from the dispensing magazine shaft in the direction of a shaft axis in such a way that the loading shaft can be positioned in the loading position for the effective transfer of the stack of packaging blanks between the dispensing magazine shaft and the transfer device and is thereby aligned in particular coaxially to the dispensing magazine shaft.

[0027] The conveying mechanism and the retaining mechanism of the transfer device are preferably mechanically coupled. In this context, this means in particular that the retaining mechanism and the conveying mechanism are operatively connected by mechanical coupling. Preferably, the retaining mechanism is also activated by means of the conveying mechanism. Preferably, the retaining mechanism is released from a preferably locked or blocked rest or initial state, or locked state, for engagement with the outer packaging, or is brought into an active or operating state when the conveying mechanism itself is active and performing its conveying activity. The rest or initial state can also be understood as a waiting position.

[0028] 12264 WO According to a preferred embodiment, the conveying mechanism of the transfer device comprises at least one cylinder arrangement, in particular a pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder arrangement is preferably designed to perform a working stroke along a vertically oriented cylinder axis. The cylinder arrangement can also be referred to as a lifting cylinder, working cylinder, or simply a cylinder. In accordance with the present invention, the stack of packaging blanks is moved, pushed, or lifted out of the outer packaging and thus also out of the loading chute by means of the cylinder arrangement, in particular by the stroke of a cylinder piston of the cylinder arrangement, and simultaneously inserted into the dispensing magazine chute.

[0029] Using a pneumatic cylinder as a conveying mechanism for transporting packaging material blanks offers significant advantages. The pneumatic cylinder is easy to operate from a control and / or regulation perspective, can be locked, and is easily integrated. This allows for controlled and reliable transfer of the packaging material blanks, thus increasing the safety of the device's operation. Furthermore, the compact design of the pneumatic cylinder allows for its desired placement within the device, even in confined spaces, thereby simplifying integration from a design perspective as well. It goes without saying that, depending on the specific application, other cylinders, such as telescopic or electromechanical cylinders, can also be used.

[0030] The device offers particular advantages because the retention mechanism of the transfer device includes at least one suction unit, in particular a vacuum suction unit.

[0031] Extensive test series conducted at the applicant's premises have demonstrated that the suction unit, particularly the vacuum suction unit, enables the retention of the outer packaging in a particularly effective and exceptionally safe manner. Particular advantages arise, for example, from the fact that the suction unit, especially the vacuum suction unit, can engage the outer packaging "from the outside" and is thus located outside the path of movement of the stack of packaging blanks being pushed out of the outer packaging.

[0032] 12264 WO Spatial obstruction during the conveying of the packaging material blanks can thus be advantageously eliminated. The suction unit, in particular the vacuum suction unit, can also advantageously grip the outer packaging in such a way, for example also over a surface, that tipping or tilting is prevented.

[0033] Furthermore, the suction unit, in particular the vacuum suction unit, is advantageously controllable and / or adjustable, and can be controlled in such a way that, for example, a holding force, namely a suction force or vacuum suction force, can be set and adjusted. In particular, this ensures that the holding force, namely the suction force or vacuum suction force, is sufficiently large to securely retain the outer packaging, counteracting the frictional effect of the moving packaging blanks as they are being removed from the outer packaging.

[0034] The suction unit, in particular the vacuum suction unit, preferably comprises at least one, and in particular two, suction cups or vacuum suction cups. The at least one or the several suction cups or vacuum suction cups can, for example, be designed as flat suction cups, bellows suction cups or oval suction cups and be made of a suitably appropriate material, such as silicone or rubber (e.g. EPDM or NBR).

[0035] Preferably, the suction unit, in particular a vacuum suction unit, is attached to a spring-loaded bracket. The bracket is subjected to a spring force and is connected to the cylinder assembly in a cooperating manner. For example, the bracket is arranged or attached to the cylinder assembly by means of at least one, preferably two or more, springs that provide the spring force. The bracket can, for example, comprise a mounting plate or support plate section, which preferably has at least one opening or recess through which, for example, a piston or piston rod of the cylinder assembly can pass. Most preferably, the suction unit can be fixed in a retracted starting position against the spring force by means of the cylinder assembly.

[0036] 12264 WO In the described preferred embodiments, the vacuum suction unit and the cylinder arrangement are mechanically coupled by means of the spring-loaded bracket such that the cylinder, in its retracted state, i.e., in its rest or zero position, presses the bracket vertically downwards against the spring force and holds it in a lower end position, thereby fixing the vacuum suction unit attached to the bracket in its initial position. This ensures that the cylinder arrangement and the vacuum suction unit are simultaneously and coupled in their initial or starting position, namely in their respective retracted, withdrawn rest or zero positions. In this way, it is ensured and guaranteed that the transfer device as a whole, in particular coupled, is in a rest or starting position.It can be brought into a waiting position in which there is free space for movement above the transfer device, so that a magazine loading unit with its at least one loading chute can pass without collision or be positioned without collision relative to the dispensing magazine chute.

[0037] Provided that a loading chute is in the loading position and correctly positioned for transferring a new stack of packaging blanks into a loading magazine chute, the conveying mechanism of the transfer device is activated. This means that the cylinder assembly, or the cylinder itself, extends, simultaneously releasing the lock for the holder. As the cylinder assembly extends, the holder, particularly the support plate section, is pushed upwards by the springs due to spring force. This action moves the vacuum suction unit from its initial position into an activated working position. In this activated working position, the vacuum suction unit engages with the outer packaging, with the suction cups specifically "docking" onto a section of the bottom of the outer packaging and holding it in place.In this design, the function of the cylinder arrangement is thus advantageously used to bring the vacuum suction unit into its working position.

[0038] In order to effectively prevent the suction unit from being moved too far from its starting position by the spring force and from being used beyond its working position-

[0039] 12264 WO is moved and / or presses against the outer packaging in an undesirable manner due to spring force, the transfer device advantageously also provides at least one stop element that interacts with the holder of the suction unit in order to limit the suction unit, which is extended vertically by means of spring force, to an end position. Preferably, the transfer device has two or more such stop elements.

[0040] The end position of the suction unit corresponds to the position in which the suction cups are aligned relative to the loading chute (positioned in the loading position) in such a way that they effectively grip the outer packaging held in the loading chute and exert their suction effect optimally. The limiting mechanism in the end position, provided by the stop elements, ensures that the vacuum suction unit does not move further towards the loading chute, even when the cylinder of the transfer device is extended further and retracted into the loading chute to push the stack of packaging blanks out and transfer them into the dispensing magazine chute.

[0041] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the device, the vacuum suction unit has at least one Venturi nozzle for generating a vacuum.

[0042] The Venturi nozzle can also be referred to as a Venturi vacuum pump or a Venturi vacuum generator. It is understood that other vacuum generators or vacuum pumps known and commonly used in the field can alternatively be employed.

[0043] Preferably, an opening is formed in a bottom section of the loading chute of the magazine loading unit, which is adapted in shape and size so that the conveying mechanism for conveying the stack of packaging blanks and the retaining mechanism for retaining the outer packaging can reach through the opening.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the provisioning device has at least one transport system with a transport track via which the at least one magazine loading unit can be transported and / or moved into the loading position.

[0045] 12264 WO is bringable. The transport track for the magazine loading units, which can also be designed as an endlessly circulating track, is arranged relative to the at least one dispensing magazine slot of the dispensing magazine, at least sectionally, in such a way that each magazine loading unit can be guided on the transport track into the loading position located below the at least one dispensing magazine slot. In the loading position, the dispensing magazine slot to be loaded and the loading slot are arranged vertically one above the other and aligned coaxially with each other.

[0046] Preferably, several magazine loading units circulating on the transport track or orbit can be provided. Furthermore, each magazine loading unit advantageously has at least one guide slide element that is detachably and interchangeably connected to the corresponding loading chute of the magazine loading unit. The guide slide element interacts with the transport track or orbit for directed transport and is, for example, mounted in a guided manner within the transport track or orbit.

[0047] The present invention also relates to a system for applying packaging material blanks to containers, wherein the system comprises at least one device as described above. The system further comprises at least one container conveyor for conveying the containers in a conveying direction and at least one application robot for automatically removing the packaging material blanks from the removal magazine chute and applying the packaging material blanks to the containers conveyed by the container conveyor.

[0048] In this configuration, the device can be part or an integral component of the system or plant for applying cardboard packaging blanks to containers.

[0049] Particularly preferred is the at least one application robot designed to separate and apply the packaging material blanks in a single work cycle, wherein the application robot uses its gripping device to pick up a single packaging material blank from the removal magazine slot of the removal magazine in each work cycle and in the same work cycle

[0050] 12264 WO is applied to the containers. Of course, particularly in embodiments with multiple application robots, several dispensing magazines, each with at least one, preferably two, dispensing magazine slots, can also be provided, thereby achieving a particularly high throughput with the highest degree of automation.

[0051] In these described embodiments with two dispensing magazine chutes, the application robot is preferably controllable in such a way that, by appropriately controlling the application robot, a switch between the respective dispensing magazine chutes for picking up packaging material blanks can be controlled. Advantageously, switching between the dispensing magazine chutes for the respective removal of the packaging material blanks can be carried out simply, quickly and automatically in this way, whereby one of the dispensing magazine chutes is in the "active" state, that is, in the state in which the dispensing magazine chute is being "operated" by the application robot, i.e., emptied, while the other dispensing magazine chute is in a reserve state.The controlled switching of the application robot between the removal magazine slots can also be described as switching the removal magazine slots between the active status and the reserve status.

[0052] As mentioned at the outset, the present invention also relates to a method for providing packaging material blanks for containers, in particular containers connected to one another by adhesive points. In the method according to the invention, the packaging material blanks are provided by means of a provisioning device with at least one magazine loading unit having at least one loading chute and fed to a dispensing magazine. In the method, the packaging material blanks are received in the at least one loading chute as stacks of packaging material blanks packaged in an outer packaging, and the magazine loading unit is positioned with the received stack of packaging material blanks located in the outer packaging relative to the dispensing magazine chute, in particular in a loading position.The stack of packaging blanks is then transferred from the loading chute to the dispensing magazine by means of a conveying mechanism of a transfer device.

[0053] 12264 WO shaft transferred and the outer packaging is retained in the loading shaft by means of a retention mechanism.

[0054] All the advantages described above for the device also apply equally to the present method according to the invention, so reference is made to the advantages described in connection with the device.

[0055] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures and exemplary embodiments. The figures show:

[0056] Fig. 1 greatly simplified and schematically depicts a view of a

[0057] Embodiment of the present device with a magazine loading unit in a loading position below a removal magazine shaft;

[0058] Fig. 2a schematically shows an example of a packaging material blank for application to containers;

[0059] Fig. 2b shows a schematic top view of a container equipped with the packaging material cutout of figure 2a;

[0060] Figs. 3a and 3b show a highly simplified and schematic view of a transfer device and a magazine loading unit entering (Fig. 3a) or already positioned in a loading position (Fig. 3b);

[0061] Fig. 4a schematically shows a transfer device in perspective view with a magazine loading unit positioned in the loading position;

[0062] Fig. 4b shows a section of figure 4a in the area of ​​an upper section of the transfer device;

[0063] 12264 WO Fig. 5a in a schematic sectional view the transfer device with the magazine loading unit positioned in the loading position in the state of an initial position;

[0064] Fig. 5b shows a section of Figure 5a in the area of ​​an upper section of the transfer device;

[0065] Fig. 6a shows a schematic sectional view of the transfer device with the magazine loading unit positioned in the loading position in a working position;

[0066] Fig. 6b shows a section of Figure 6a in the area of ​​an upper section of the transfer device and

[0067] Fig. 7, greatly simplified and schematically depicted, shows a view of a

[0068] Embodiment of a system comprising the present device for applying packaging material blanks to containers.

[0069] The device 1 shown in Figure 1 in a highly simplified and only roughly schematic representation serves to provide packaging material blanks 100 made of cardboard (not visible in Figure 1, see Figure 2a) for containers 2 or for container sets 2a (cf. Figure 2b).

[0070] In particular, the present device 1 can provide such packaging material blanks 100 which can be applied and attached to the top of a container 2a and which include or form a carrying handle for the container 2a. Such packaging material blanks 100 can also be referred to as cardboard clips 100.

[0071] The present device 1 can, in particular, be part or component of a more comprehensive system 200 for applying packaging material blanks 100 to containers 2 or container sets 2a, which is shown by way of example and only partially in Figure 7. The system 200 in turn

[0072] 12264 WO can be integrated into a complex plant for the production of container units 2a, in particular containers made of PET bottles filled with beverages.

[0073] The device 1 is therefore preferably used in the beverage industry, for example in a beverage filling plant or beverage processing plant or packaging plant.

[0074] The device 1 facilitates and improves, in particular, the provision and thus preferably automated refilling or refilling of a magazine that stores, holds, or provides the packaging blanks 100, namely a stationary dispensing magazine 5. Specifically, the packaging blanks 100 can be automatically removed from the dispensing magazine 5 and applied to the containers.

[0075] The present device 1 has at least one such, preferably stationary, dispensing magazine 5, which comprises at least one dispensing magazine slot 5.1 for the packaging material blanks 100. In the illustrated example of Figure 1, two such dispensing magazine slots 5.1 are provided, but only one is visible in the illustration. Each dispensing magazine slot 5.1 is designed to receive one stack of packaging material blanks 100.

[0076] An exemplary embodiment of a packaging material blank 100 in the form of a cardboard clip 100, which can be applied with the device 1, is shown in Figure 2a. Figure 2b shows a finished container 2a already fitted with the cardboard clip 100. The exemplary cardboard clip 100 includes a carrying handle section 102 and can be applied to the top of a container 2a from above using the present device 1. For this purpose, the cardboard clip 100 has two openings 101, 10T, so that the respective neck areas of the containers 2, which carry a container closure 2.1, engage in or protrude through the openings 101, 10T of the cardboard clip 100, and the cardboard clip 100 can thus be fixed to the container 2a. For secure attachment and fixing to the containers 2, the cardboard clips 100 can additionally be – in

[0077] 12264 WO have folding sections or the like not shown in the figures, which are folded, bent or folded over, for example during application, in particular by means of a manipulation or forming tool of the device 1 (also not shown in the figures).

[0078] The packaging material blanks 100 are automatically removed from the magazine dispensing chute 5.1 by means of an application robot 4 of the system 200 by its gripping device 6 and can be applied to the containers 2 or container bundles 2a conveyed along a conveying direction (which in the representation of figure 7 runs perpendicular to the paper plane) on a container conveyor 3.

[0079] The device 1 further comprises a dispensing unit 10 for dispensing and automatically feeding the packaging material blanks 100 to the at least one dispensing magazine 5. The dispensing unit 10 has at least one magazine loading unit 12 with at least one loading chute 12.2, which is designed to receive one stack of packaging material blanks 100 each, provided in an outer packaging 103 (see, for example, Figure 4a), such as an outer carton. In the example shown in Figure 1, the magazine loading unit 12 is movable and can be transported and positioned via a transport system (not shown in detail in the figures) with a conveyor track.

[0080] For this purpose, the magazine loading unit 12 has at least one guide slide element not visible in the figures, which is detachably and interchangeably connected to the corresponding loading shaft 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12 and via which the magazine loading unit 12 can be coupled to the transport system and / or engaged in such a way that the magazine loading unit 12 can be moved along the transport track in a guided manner.

[0081] The magazine loading unit 12 can be moved via the transport system into a loading position BP, which, in the example of Figure 1, is arranged vertically below the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 to be loaded. In loading position BP, the loading shaft 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12 is aligned coaxially with the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 of the dispensing magazine 5 to be loaded.

[0082] 12264 WO vertical shaft axis SA of the extraction magazine shaft 5.1 therefore coincides with a shaft axis of the loading shaft 12.2 when the latter is positioned in the loading position BP.

[0083] The device 1 further includes a transfer device 18 for the automated transfer of the stack of packaging material blanks 100 from the loading chute 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12 to the removal magazine chute 5.1 of the removal magazine 5.

[0084] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the transfer device 18 is arranged below the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 and spaced from it in the direction of the shaft axis SA such that the loading shaft 12.2 of a respective magazine loading unit 12 positioned in the loading position BP can be positioned for the effective transfer of the stack of packaging blanks 100 between the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 and the transfer device 18. In the loading position BP, the loading shaft 12.2 is thus arranged vertically below the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 to be loaded and above the transfer device 18, in particular coaxially with the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 and the transfer device 18.

[0085] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate the transport of the magazine loading unit 12 to loading position BP and the positioning of the loading chute 12.2 at loading position BP. Figures 3a and 3b show only the transfer device 18 (isolated from the dispensing magazine 5 and the dispensing magazine chute 5.1, respectively); that is, the dispensing magazine chute 5.1 to be loaded is not shown. However, it is understood that the dispensing magazine chute 5.1 to be loaded (as shown in Figure 1) is arranged coaxially and spaced apart above the transfer device 18, so that the magazine loading unit 12 can be transported by the transport system along the transport path in the transport direction TR to loading position BP, namely between the transfer device 18 and the dispensing magazine chute 5.1.

[0086] In Figure 3a, the loading unit 12 is in the transport state and is moved in the transport direction TR by means of the (not shown) transport system along its

[0087] 12264 WO transport track in the direction of loading position BP. In the state shown in Figure 3a, the loading unit 12 is thus in the inlet to loading position BP, whereas in the state shown in Figure 3b, the loading shaft 12.2 is already correctly arranged and positioned in loading position BP.

[0088] The transfer device 18 has at least one conveying mechanism 19 for conveying the stack of packaging blanks 100 into the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 and a retaining mechanism 20 for retaining the outer packaging 103 in the loading shaft 12.2. The conveying mechanism 19 is, by way of example, formed by a vertical conveying system for vertically inserting the stack of packaging blanks 100 from below into the dispensing magazine shaft 5.1 of the dispensing magazine 5.

[0089] Figures 3a and 3b show a preferred embodiment of the transfer device 18, in which the conveying mechanism 19 comprises at least one pneumatic cylinder and the retaining mechanism 20 comprises at least one vacuum suction unit. The design and operation of this preferred embodiment of the transfer device 18 are further explained below with reference to Figures 4a to 6b.

[0090] Figure 4a shows a perspective view of the transfer device 18 with a magazine loading unit 12 positioned in loading position BP. Figure 4b shows a section of Figure 4a in the area of ​​an upper section of the transfer device 18, which engages with the magazine loading unit 12 when the stack of packaging blanks 100 is transferred. Figures 5a to 6b show, each as a sectional view, the transfer device 18 with the magazine loading unit 12 positioned in loading position BP in various operating states or process stages during the transfer of a stack of packaging blanks 100.

[0091] The pneumatic cylinder 19 is designed to perform a working stroke along a vertically oriented cylinder axis ZA and is arranged below the dispensing magazine 5 (see Figure 1) in such a way that the stack of packaging blanks 100 is pushed over from below by means of the working stroke.

[0092] 12264 WO the loading of the removal magazine shaft 5.1 is possible when the magazine loading unit 12 is positioned in the loading position BP. In the position ready for a corresponding transfer operation, the cylinder axis ZA essentially coincides with the shaft axis SA of the removal magazine shaft 5.1 to be loaded, as can be seen, for example, in Figure 1.

[0093] The pneumatic cylinder 19 and the vacuum suction unit 20 are functionally and structurally coupled, in particular mechanically coupled, so that a correct, safe and trouble-free interaction of both functions is ensured during each corresponding transfer process.

[0094] In the example shown in the figures, the vacuum suction unit 20 comprises two suction cups 23, each designed as a flat suction cup, with their suction section or suction cup pointing upwards and facing the magazine loading unit 12 in loading position BP. The vacuum suction unit 20 is arranged and configured such that the suction cups 23 can be brought into contact with a bottom section 103.1 of the outer packaging 103 located in the loading chute 12.2 and can suction onto the bottom section 103.1.

[0095] As can be clearly seen in Figures 4a and 4b, the loading chute 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12 is specially adapted on its underside in its bottom section to allow unimpeded access for the suction cups 23 to the outer packaging 103. For this purpose, the loading chute 12.2 has an opening 13 in its bottom section with corresponding protrusions 14, which are adapted in shape and size to allow the suction cups 23 to reach through.

[0096] A vacuum can be applied to the suction cups 23 of the vacuum suction unit 20 in a controlled manner so that the corresponding suction effect is generated in an adapted and required way, namely with a correspondingly controlled and / or regulated suction force. A vacuum pump, in particular a Venturi vacuum pump or a Venturi nozzle, is used in the vacuum suction unit 20 to generate the vacuum.

[0097] 12264 WO 22 is provided, which is clearly visible in the view according to Figures 3a and 3b. The suction cups 23 are connected to the Venturi vacuum pump or Venturi nozzle 22 via corresponding vacuum lines.

[0098] The vacuum suction unit 20 is attached to a spring-loaded bracket 21 and mechanically coupled to the pneumatic cylinder 19 via this bracket 21. The bracket 21 is thus subjected to a spring force and is operatively connected to the pneumatic cylinder 19.

[0099] In the illustrated example, the bracket 21 comprises a lower mounting frame section 15 attached to the pneumatic cylinder 19, which is connected via bolt-like connecting elements 16 and spring elements 7 to a support plate section 17 carrying the suction cups 23. Through this resilient or spring-loaded connection, the support plate section 17 with the suction cups 23 attached to it is movable relative to the lower mounting frame section 15 over a predetermined spring stroke.

[0100] The spring elements 7, which can also be referred to as springs in this case, are arranged between the lower retaining frame section 15 and the support plate section 17 and essentially act as compression springs, which push the support plate section 17 upwards away from the lower retaining frame section 15 following the spring force, as long as no correspondingly larger holding or counterforce opposes the spring force or as long as the pressure movement is not blocked.

[0101] The bracket 21 is configured such that the vacuum suction unit 20 can be fixed in a retracted initial position by the pneumatic cylinder 19, against the spring force of the spring elements 7, when the pneumatic cylinder 19 itself is in its rest state, i.e., in the retracted state or in the rest position or zero position. The initial position of the vacuum suction unit 20 and the retracted state of the pneumatic cylinder 19 are shown in Figures 5a and 5b.

[0102] In this initial position, the pneumatic cylinder 19, which is in a resting state, with its retracted cylinder piston 8, rests against the support plate section 17 on its upper side, the cylinder piston 8 having a contact surface 8.1 which comes into contact with a top side of the support plate section 17 and against

[0103] 12264 WO this is the case when the cylinder piston 8 is fully retracted. As a result, the retracted cylinder piston 8 pushes the support plate section 17 vertically downwards against the spring force and thus holds it in a lower end position, thereby also fixing the vacuum suction unit 20 with the suction cups 23, which is attached to the support plate section 17, in its initial position.

[0104] This means that – in a coupled manner – both the vacuum suction unit 20 and the pneumatic cylinder 19 are spatially withdrawn and “moved out of the way” in the initial position shown in Figures 5a and 5b, such that a collision with moving or transported, in particular with moving, magazine loading units 12 is reliably excluded when the magazine loading units 12 are brought into the loading position BP and / or are conveyed out of it again after the stack of packaging blanks 100 has been transferred.

[0105] In order to initiate or carry out a transfer process for transferring the stack of packaging material blanks 100 from a magazine loading unit 12 positioned in the loading position BP to the unloading magazine slot 5.1 to be loaded, the pneumatic cylinder 19 is activated in a controlled manner and the cylinder piston 8 is extended vertically upwards in the direction of the cylinder axis ZA.

[0106] This causes the holding force acting on the upper side of the support plate section 17 via the contact surface 8.1 of the cylinder piston 8 to decrease, corresponding to the movement of the cylinder piston 8, and in particular to the extent that the cylinder piston 8 is extended. The support plate section 17 moves upwards with the cylinder piston 8, following the spring force. Thus, the cylinder piston 8 essentially carries the support plate section 17 and therefore the suction cups 23 with it, thereby bringing the suction cups 23 into their engagement position.

[0107] Due to the geometric design of the holder 21 and the coordinated geometric dimensions of the suction cups 23 and the pneumatic cylinder 19, the suction cups 23 come into contact with the bottom section 103.1 of the outer packaging 103 before the extending cylinder piston 8, which also passes through the opening 13 provided in the bottom section of the loading chute 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12, and through a further opening or perforation 104 provided in the bottom section 103.1 of the outer packaging 103,

[0108] 12264 WO reaches through, contacting the lowest of the packaging material blanks 100 stacked in the outer packaging 103.

[0109] As soon as the suction cups 23 come into contact with the outer packaging 103, they hold it firmly in place by means of the generated vacuum. This position, in which the vacuum suction unit 20 engages with the outer packaging 103 and the suction cups 23 "dock" on the bottom section 103.1 of the outer packaging 103 to hold the outer packaging 103 in place by suction, namely the engagement position of the suction cups 23, is the activated working position of the vacuum suction unit 20.

[0110] To hold the vacuum suction unit 20 in the activated working position and to prevent it from moving further upwards beyond the activated working position with the continuing extension of the cylinder piston 8, stop elements 9 are provided. These block the further movement of the suction unit 20 once it has extended into the activated working position, thus defining an end position in which the movement of the suction unit 20 is limited. Figures 6a and 6b show the vacuum suction unit 20 in its activated working position and in the end position limited by the stop elements 9, respectively.

[0111] Each of the stop elements 9 has a respective stop surface 9.1 (see Figure 5b) against which the support plate section 17 abuts with its upper side in the limited end position. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the support plate section 17 abuts against the stop surfaces 9.1 of the stop elements 9 with a stopper arranged on its upper side in the limited end position.

[0112] As Figures 6a and 6b illustrate, the cylinder piston 8 of the pneumatic cylinder 19 can continue to be extended while maintaining the limited end position of the vacuum suction unit 20, and can perform its full working stroke to push the packaging material blanks 100 out of the loading chute 12.2 of the magazine loading unit 12 and insert them from below into the magazine dispensing chute 5.1. In the state shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the stack of packaging material blanks 100 has already been lifted and pushed out of the loading chute 12.2 a short distance.

[0113] 12264 WO Due to the suction effect of the suction unit 20, which is extended into the activated working position and acts on the outer packaging 103 via the suction cups 23, the outer packaging 103 is held and fixed, thus preventing the outer packaging 103 from being conveyed upwards towards the removal magazine shaft 5.1 due to the friction that occurs, together with the packaging material blanks 100 that are to be pushed out or pushed out during the working stroke of the pneumatic cylinder 19.

[0114] After the transfer of the stack of packaging blanks 100 is completed, the cylinder piston 8 of the pneumatic cylinder 19 is retracted and, in a mechanically coupled manner, the vacuum suction unit 20 is also moved back to its starting position.

[0115] Once the pneumatic cylinder 19 and the vacuum suction unit 20 have returned to their starting position, the space above the transfer device 18 is sufficiently clear so that the magazine loading unit 12 can be safely and collision-free conveyed and discharged from the loading position BP, for example to be fed back into a loading cycle or to be available for a new loading cycle.

[0116] 12264 WO Reference List

[0117] 1 Device

[0118] 2 containers

[0119] 2.1 Container closure

[0120] 2a Container

[0121] 3 container conveyors

[0122] 4 application robots

[0123] 5 dispensing magazine

[0124] 5.1 Extraction magazine shaft

[0125] 6 Gripping device

[0126] 7 Spring element

[0127] 8 cylinder pistons

[0128] 9 Stop element

[0129] 10 Provisioning facility

[0130] 12 magazine loading unit

[0131] 12.2 Loading shaft

[0132] 13 Breakthrough

[0133] 14 Bulge

[0134] 15 Mounting frame section

[0135] 16 Fasteners

[0136] 17 Support plate section

[0137] 18 Transfer facility

[0138] 19 Funding mechanism

[0139] 20 Retention mechanism

[0140] 21 bracket

[0141] 22 Venturi nozzle

[0142] 23 vacuum cleaners

[0143] 100 packaging material cut-to-size pieces

[0144] 101, 10T penetrations

[0145] 102 T carrying handle section

[0146] 103 Outer packaging

[0147] 103.1 Bottom section of the outer packaging

[0148] 12264 WO 104 Opening, perforation

[0149] 200 System for applying packaging material cutouts

[0150] BP loading position SA shaft axis

[0151] TR Transport direction

[0152] ZA cylinder axle

[0153] 12264 where

Claims

1. Patent claims 1. Device (1) for providing packaging material blanks (100) for containers (2), comprising at least one dispensing magazine (5) with at least one dispensing magazine slot (5.1) for the packaging material blanks (100), wherein the at least one dispensing magazine slot (5.1) is designed to receive one stack of packaging material blanks (100) at a time, further comprising a dispensing device (10) for providing and feeding the packaging material blanks (100) to the at least one dispensing magazine (5), wherein the dispensing device (10) comprises at least one magazine loading unit (12) with at least one loading slot (12.2) designed to receive one stack of packaging material blanks (100) provided in an outer packaging (103), further comprising at least one transfer device (18) for automatically transferring the stack of packaging material blanks (100) from the Loading shaft (12.2) the magazine loading unit (12) is provided in the removal magazine shaft (5.1 ) of the removal magazine (5, 5'), wherein the transfer device (18) has at least one conveying mechanism (19) for conveying the stack of packaging blanks (100) into the removal magazine shaft (5.1 ) and a retaining mechanism (20) for retaining the outer packaging (103) in the loading shaft (12.2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one magazine loading unit (12) is movably designed and can be positioned in at least one loading position (BP), wherein the loading chute (12.2) of the magazine loading unit (12) is arranged in the loading position (BP) in particular relative to the removal magazine chute (5.1) to be loaded such that the stack of packaging blanks (100) can be transferred from the loading chute (12.2) into the removal magazine chute (5.1) by means of a linear push movement.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the loading shaft (12.2) in the loading position (BP) is located vertically below the 12264 where the loading dispensing magazine shaft (5.1 ) is arranged and aligned coaxially to it, wherein the conveying mechanism (19) of the transfer device (18) is formed by a vertical conveying system for vertically inserting the stack of packaging blanks (100) from below into the dispensing magazine shaft (5.1 ) of the dispensing magazine (5).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer device (18) is arranged below the removal magazine shaft (5.1) of the removal magazine (5) and is spaced apart from the removal magazine shaft (5.1) in the direction of a shaft axis (SA) such that the loading shaft (12.2) can be positioned in the loading position (BP) for the effective transfer of the stack of packaging blanks (100) between the removal magazine shaft (5.1) and the transfer device (18) and is in particular aligned coaxially with the removal magazine shaft (5.1).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying mechanism (19) and the retention mechanism (20) the transfer device (18) are mechanically coupled to each other.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying mechanism (19) of the transfer device (18) comprises at least one cylinder arrangement, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, wherein the cylinder arrangement is designed in particular to perform a working stroke along a vertically oriented cylinder axis (ZA).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retention mechanism (20) of the transfer device (18) comprises at least one suction unit, in particular a vacuum suction unit.

8. Device (1) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the suction unit is attached to a spring-loaded holder (21), wherein the holder (21) in particular is subjected to a spring force and is connected to the cylinder arrangement in cooperation with it. 12264 where 9. Device (1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the suction unit can be fixed in a retracted starting position by means of the cylinder arrangement against the spring force.

10. Device (1 ) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the transfer device (18) further comprises at least one stop element (9) cooperating with the holder (21 ) of the suction unit in order to limit the suction unit extended vertically by means of the spring force in an end position.

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the suction unit comprises two vacuum suction cups (23) which can be brought into engagement with a bottom section (103.1) of the outer packaging (103) arranged in the loading chute (12.2) for suction retention of the outer packaging (103) in the loading chute (12.2) when the loading chute (12.2) is positioned in the loading position (BP).

12. Device (1 ) according to one of claims 7 to 11 , characterized in that the suction unit for generating a vacuum has at least one Venturi nozzle (22).

13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an opening (13) is formed in a bottom section of the loading chute (12.2) of the magazine loading unit (12), which is adapted in shape and size such that the conveying mechanism (19) for conveying the stack of packaging blanks (100) and the retaining mechanism (20) for retaining the outer packaging (103) can pass through the opening (13).

14. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the provisioning device (10) has at least one transport system with a transport track via which the at least one magazine loading unit (12) can be transported and / or brought into the loading position (BP). 12264 where is, wherein the transport track is arranged in particular relative to the at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1 ) of the removal magazine (5) such that a respective magazine loading unit (12) can be guided on the transport track into the loading position (BP) located below the at least one removal magazine shaft (5.1).

15. System (200) for applying packaging material blanks (100) to containers (2) with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (200) further comprises at least one container conveyor (3) for conveying the containers (2) in a conveying direction and at least one application robot (4) for automated removal of the packaging material blanks (100) from the removal magazine shaft (5.1) and for applying the packaging material blanks (100) to the containers (2) conveyed by the container conveyor (3).

16. Method for providing packaging blanks (100) for containers (2), wherein the packaging blanks (100) are provided by means of a provisioning device (10) with at least one magazine loading unit (12) with at least one loading chute (12.2) and fed to a dispensing magazine (5), wherein the packaging blanks (100) are each received as stacks of packaging blanks (100) packed in an outer packaging (103) in the at least one loading chute (12.2), wherein the magazine loading unit (12) with the stack of packaging blanks (100) located in the outer packaging (103) is positioned relative to the dispensing magazine chute (5.1), and wherein the stack of packaging blanks (100) is transferred from the loading chute (12.2) into the container (5) by means of a conveying mechanism (19) of a transfer device (18). Extraction magazine shaft (5.1) is transferred and the outer packaging (103) is retained in the loading shaft (12.2) by means of a retention mechanism (20). 12264 where

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